You may have noticed in last month's issue, the stunning advert for a new concept in musicals for amateurs – Virgin Warrior.
Zig Byfield and Peter Perchard have been writing hit songs together for over 35 years. Some of these have featured on Zig's albums Running and Yesterday's Dreams. The idea of Virgin Warrior began in 1985 when Zig, who was teaching drama in Epsom at the time, was moved by a student's rendition of Anouilh's The Lark. The story of Joan of Arc has captivated people throughout the ages and spawned plays, films and operas. Now the team of Byfield and Perchard offer you the chance to perform an exciting rock musical which is not just a show, but a concept in musical theatre.
Virgin Warrior had its premiere performance in 1986. Nineteen years and some tweaking later, this fabulous musical is now available for amateur production. But what is on offer is much more than just the obligatory libretto and score. Byfield and Perchard have put together a unique package specially designed with amateur groups in mind.
A pack of 20 CDs is provided: 2 CD's of the complete show with vocals and sound effects, including battle scenes and even the sound of closing auditorium doors; 16 CDs with no vocals and sound effects with the songs broken down into individual tracks. Each song has its own 'click track' as a count in. These enable each character and section to have their own CD for rehearsal purposes; 2 CDs of the run of the show without vocals, but with full sound effects. There is also a choice of two mixes one with choral, one without. You are also provided with 50 official show posters, 4 page programme sleeves and flyers. The Book (photocopiable without charge) contains basic stage directions, lighting plots and costume design ideas, the Libretto and full Vocal Score (all photocopiable without charge) are all included.
And there's more!
With this package you have the opportunity to make your own cast album. The soundtrack and your live vocals go through the sound desk, so all you need to have is a minidisc or DAT recorder! You choose the best performance and return that to Byfield and Perchard with your cast list and a cheque for the number of copies you require.
Your CD's are manufactured at a cost of £5 each (but you can charge whatever you think appropriate). Once the manufacturing costs have been taken out of the £5 they receive for each CD, 50% will go into a charitable trust fund to help support individuals and groups who are using music therapy to improve the lives of disabled and disadvantaged youngsters.
The cost of a package such as this could be a sizeable one, but the writers of Virgin Warrior are determined to make this wonderful piece as accessible as possible to groups of all sizes performing in all types of venues.
On the 27th of February the original cast album of this magnificent show was launched to an enthusiastic crowd. There are a plethora of musical styles folk to rock and everything in between - represented in Virgin Warrior. The character of Joan is primarily given more 60's folk qualities to her ballads defining the simplicity of her origins, whilst other numbers are David Bowie esque and Sting-esque in flavour. There are incredibly challenging choral numbers and numerous opportunities for ensemble and character work.
This show is for the group who likes a challenge and who has a versatile enough company from which to cast the principal roles. The subject matter is one which will attract groups of all sizes from those performing in small village halls to large community productions - even outdoor productions! As a historical lesson, all sorts of community and school projects could be tied in to coincide with a production of Virgin Warrior. The possibilities are endless!

Reproduced by kind permission of Amateur Stage